Is there an advantage to metallic over regular? Is one harder or more durable than other?

 

I think the scratches show up more on metallic paint.

 

I prefer metallic paint finishes. However, repairing them is a little more difficult and the paint costs more.

 

Yes, with metallic paint, you don't have to carry that extra $500 around in your wallet all the time. That will probably save you 10 pairs of pants over the life of the car that would be worn out from a bulging wallet if you bought non-metallic paint. I speak from experience - I bought metalic paint and my wallet is nearly flat.

 

Both solid and metallic paintwork finishes in the MINI are water based and both have hard clearcoats. In terms of maintenance, solid colors are easier to repair in the event of chips and scratches and even full panel re-sprays. Metallic paints are a pain in the **** because it is nearly impossible to arrange the little metal flakes in the paint when applying touch up paint in a chip and make them match the flakes in the surrounding paint. Metallic paint touch ups tend to look darker than the surrounding paint. Beyond these points, it is a matter of personal preference and whether a particular color is available in a particular model. Our Clubman is the first metallic paint MINI we have owned. All other MINIs have been solid finishes (1 Pepper White and 2 Chili Reds). Metallic paintwork makes money for MINI. Do you really need it? No. However their solid color palette is limited to Oxygen Blue, Mellow Yellow, Chili Red and Pepper White.

 

Last time I checked, you couldn't get Oxygen Blue on a Clubman. Personally, I would have liked a solid color and an extra $500, but the wife wanted HC.

 

Yes, OB is a Cooper coupe color only.....no MCSs, no clubbies, no cabrios. Weird, huh??

 

Yes, I would definitely go for a nonmetallic finish due to paint matching issues in the future. Personal experience says so for me!

 

I know it sounds kinda dumb/childish, but I prefer the metallic paint for the very simple reason: it makes me happy to walk up to my car and it's so bright and sparkly in the sunshine!

I'd have to say it's a pain in the butt for repairing scratches...but that joyous feeling of the sparkle! I love sparklies...

OBVIOUSLY I have been inside sucking in recycled air WAY too long today...I need to go take a ride!!!

 

Hey there is nothing wrong with "sparklies"!
I like my color, but like what was mentioned above...no matter what you do, it seems that the touch up paint always looks darker.